<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="2" > preface</h1>
Picture | Nie Rongzhen
Deng Xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen had known each other as early as 1920.
At that time, Deng Xiaoping and a group of like-minded good friends embarked on a cruise ship to a foreign country together, and as soon as they arrived in Paris, they were warmly welcomed by local students.
In the welcoming crowd, there was the figure of Nie Rongzhen.
In the subsequent process of getting along, the two became close friends because of their common ambitions, and in more than 70 years of interaction, the two formed a deep friendship.
Between Nie Rongzhen and Deng Xiaoping, there was always a special kind of camaraderie.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="127" > Deng Xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen – a special camaraderie</h1>
Because Nie Rongzhen was a few years older, Deng Xiaoping privately called Nie Rongzhen an elder brother, and Nie Rongzhen called Deng Xiaoping Xiaoping, and the titles of the two did not change until their old age.
In June 1922, Zhou Enlai, Cai Hesen organized the "Young Communist Party of China in Europe" in France, and Nie Rongzhen and Deng Xiaoping joined it, working during the day and actively engaged in the work of propagating communism at night.
Although the two did not work together for a long time after returning to China, they were always concerned about each other.
In August 1931, Deng Xiaoping arrived in the Central Revolutionary Base Area of Jiangxi and served as the secretary of the Ruijin County CPC Committee, and in December of that year Nie Rongzhen followed the party organization to evacuate Shanghai, and also went to the Jiangxi Central Revolutionary Base Area to serve as deputy director of the General Political Department of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and political commissar of the 1st Army.
With the failure of the Fifth Anti-Encirclement and Suppression Operation, the Red Army embarked on the Long March.
Pictured| Deng Xiaoping
In June 1935, Deng Xiaoping was transferred from the secretary general of the Central Committee to the Red First Army as the head of propaganda, and the political commissar of the Red First Army at that time happened to be Nie Rongzhen.
Two friends who hadn't seen each other for years were only reunited at this point.
After the victory of the Long March, Deng Xiaoping was transferred to the deputy director of the Political Department of the Red First Army, and together with Nie Rongzhen, he commanded the Battle of Mountain Castle.
Unexpectedly, however, at the end of 1936, Deng Xiaoping suffered from a very serious typhoid fever in Qingyang, Gansu Province, and he was unconscious and could not eat anything.
It is said that Deng Xiaoping's illness was very serious this time, as long as he ate a little solid food, he would puncture his intestines, so he could only cook a little rice soup at a time, when Xiao Ke went to visit Deng Xiaoping, he saw him lying unconscious on a stretcher, and his heart was very sad.
Nie Rongzhen was also deeply worried about the physical condition of his old comrades-in-arms, but it was always to no avail.
Coincidentally, at that time, the Red Army was engaged in a united front with Zhang Xueliang, and sent many condolences, some of which were canned milk that they had never seen before.
Nie Rongzhen immediately decided that in order to save Deng Xiaoping, who was seriously ill and dying, he must give all the canned milk to Deng Xiaoping to eat.
Picture| In the spring of 1938, Deng Xiaoping mobilized troops for battle in Licheng County, Shanxi
This practice of his also aroused the views of many people at that time, some people accused him of violating discipline, Nie Rongzhen narrowed his eyes and said: "It is important to save people, why do you care so much." ”
It was precisely because of this milk that Deng Xiaoping turned the tide.
Nie Rongzhen took the initiative to write a review afterwards and asked the organization to set out for himself, but chairman Mao, after hearing about this incident, not only did not punish him, but also praised Nie Rongzhen:
"Nie Rongzhen directly misappropriated the materials of the troops without receiving instructions, not for his own sake, but to save Comrade Xiaoping's life.
Nie Rongzhen and Deng Xiaoping cooperated with each other during the war years and fought many victorious battles.
In September 1955, Nie Rongzhen was awarded the rank of marshal, and at that time Deng Xiaoping had already left the army to serve as vice premier of the State Council, so he was not awarded the rank.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="128" > the early fifties, the two homes were separated by only one wall</h1>
On March 25, 1949, Chairman Mao led the Party Central Committee to move to Beiping.
This period was also the busiest period in Nie Rongzhen's life, because he held six posts, many major and minor matters had to be handled by him, he had to deal with various tasks during the day, and at night he had to report to Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou.
Even a young man could not bear such a high-intensity work, and Nie Rongzhen was already over fifty years old at the time.
In September 1952, Nie Rongzhen went to the outskirts of Beijing to inspect the national defense project, and just after returning to the office, he fell to the ground, and after examination, it was found that Nie Rongzhen suffered from cerebral balance disorders, hypertension, and heart disease, but even so, Nie Rongzhen still remembered his work, and when his condition was slightly better, he was discharged from the hospital, and it was not until after the end of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea that Nie Rongzhen went to other places to recuperate.
As early as July 1952, Deng Xiaoping was also transferred back to Beijing from the southwest by the central government, where he served as vice premier of the State Council and deputy director of the Financial and Economic Commission.
Pictured| Nie Rongzhen in September 1949
The deng xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen families were separated by only a wall at that time, and the small red doors of the two families were often open. After hearing that Nie Rongzhen was ill, Deng Xiaoping also visited him many times.
Nie Rongzhen liked sports very much when he was young, tennis and billiards were all good players, and when recuperating, he often carried out physical exercise.
At that time, in the two yards, the staff also leveled out a tennis court.
In his spare time, Nie Rongzhen and Deng Xiaoping often exercised together. Sometimes during holidays, Nie Rongzhen would ask Deng Xiaoping's family to go on outings and climb mountains in places like the Ming Tombs or the Great Wall. Nie Rongzhen also likes to fish, and sometimes asks the fishing master He Long to go fishing together, and every time the fish caught, it will be distributed to Deng Xiaoping, Luo Ronghuan and some old comrades around him.
Although Nie Rongzhen's body is always not very good, because he loves physical exercise and often maintains a good life law, he is still very long-lived.
When his body was almost recovered, Nie Rongzhen hoped to continue to work.
In October 1956, after the End of the Eighth Party Congress, Deng Xiaoping, on behalf of the Party Central Committee, visited Nie Rongzhen's home and asked for his opinion on his work:
Deng Xiaoping was mainly responsible for the executive work of the State Council at that time, and on behalf of the Central Committee, he told Nie Rongzhen about his work arrangements.
First, the Central Committee has decided to transfer Comrade Chen Yi to specialize in diplomatic work, and the scientific and technological work he is in charge of is up to you to grasp;
Second, the work of Comrade Peng Zhen, the mayor of Beiping, is too busy, and the central authorities want him to be dismissed as the mayor of Beiping.
Third, continue to be in charge of the defense industry and army equipment.
"These three jobs are up to you to choose."
Picture | old photo of Nie Rongzhen
Nie Rongzhen had been the mayor of Beiping before, and had also been responsible for the national defense industry and army equipment, and for these two tasks, it should be said that he was familiar with them.
Deng Xiaoping also thought that his old comrades-in-arms might choose these two jobs, but Nie Rongzhen made another choice.
"I don't want to be mayor of Beijing, but I'm very interested in science and technology. Science and technology are somewhat backward in our country, and we must carry out work in this regard as soon as possible. ”
Nie Rongzhen thought about it carefully and said again:
"The defense industry is closely linked to science and technology, and if possible, it will be possible to take care of it in the future." However, it is still up to the central authorities to decide. ”
Deng Xiaoping quickly reported Nie Rongzhen's ideas to the central authorities.
Not long after, Nie Rongzhen was appointed vice premier of the State Council, in charge of science and technology.
Picture | 1961, Luo Ronghuan and He Long, Nie Rongzhen in Chengdu Jinniuba
Since 1956, Nie Rongzhen has led the scientific and technological army to overcome all difficulties and develop two bombs and one satellite, and has made great efforts for the construction and development of national defense forces.
Qian Xuesen, a famous scientist in China and the founder of the two bombs and one star, recalled that period of time and said such a sentence affectionately:
"Looking back on the past today, our scientific and technical personnel all miss that era very much, calling it the 'golden age' of China's science and technology, and also have great respect and love for our leader, Mr. Nie."
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="129" > tough times</h1>
In the 1960s, an unprecedented storm struck.
Deng Xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen were affected to varying degrees, and even so, when the storm came, Nie Rongzhen still insisted on standing on The side of Deng Xiaoping.
"Comrade Deng Xiaoping, I am very familiar with him, and I do not agree with you in accusing him in this way."
In May 1972, Premier Zhou was diagnosed with bladder cancer, and as his body deteriorated, he could no longer bear the increasingly heavy workload.
And the only person who could shoulder this glorious mission was Deng Xiaoping.
On August 3, 1972, Deng Xiaoping wrote to Chairman Mao expressing his desire to continue his work:
"I feel that I am in good health, although I am sixty-eight years old, I can still do some technical work, and I can also do seven or eight years of work for the party and the people."
Under the supervision of Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou, Deng Xiaoping returned to Beijing from Jiangxi, and on March 29, accompanied by Premier Zhou, Chairman Mao received Deng Xiaoping and saw Deng Xiaoping's solid physical and mental outlook, and Chairman Mao encouraged:
"Work hard and protect your body."
Deng Xiaoping was reinstated as vice premier of the State Council, and participated in the work of the State Council's operational group, participated in foreign affairs activities, attended meetings of the Politburo of the CPC Central Committee as observers, and discussed major policy issues.
At 9:00 a.m. on March 30, 1973, Deng Xiaoping did not have long to return to Beijing, that is, he visited Nie Rongzhen's home with his wife Zhuo Lin.
However, it is not coincidental that Nie Rongzhen has just been admitted to the 301 Hospital due to heart problems, and only Nie Rongzhen's wife Zhang Ruihua was at home at that time. After hearing that Deng Xiaoping had come, Zhang Ruihua immediately came out to greet him, and Deng Xiaoping chatted with Zhang Ruihua for about an hour and left.
Zhang Ruihua rushed to the hospital in the afternoon and relayed the news that Deng Xiaoping had resumed his work, and Nie Rongzhen was very happy, and immediately said that after more than ten years of treatment, his body had healed and he could be discharged the next day.
Almost without a moment's pause, Nie Rongzhen went to Visit Deng Xiaoping's home the next day after being discharged from the hospital, and agreed to invite Deng Xiaoping's family to dinner.
Figure| At the end of 1960, Marshal Nie Rongzhen inspected the base
Nie Rongzhen invited Deng Xiaoping to eat the "bean flower" of Sichuan's specialty, the two old comrades-in-arms did not see each other for many years, there were too many endless topics between each other, this meal was eaten until almost two o'clock in the afternoon, Deng Xiaoping got up to say goodbye, and before leaving, the two agreed to go to see the movie "General Patton" together tomorrow.
After Deng Xiaoping returned to work, he quickly began to carry out a drastic effort to rectify the economy and other work, and Nie Rongzhen also expressed support and praise for Deng Xiaoping's work.
In the most difficult times, Nie Rongzhen devoted a lot of care to Deng Xiaoping.
On September 21, 1976, Nie Rongzhen instructed him to come to see his old subordinate Yang Chengwu and asked him to tell Ye Jianying that he must pay attention to protecting Comrade Xiaoping. Ye Jianying also agreed with this.
All parties worked together to lay the foundation for a new historical period.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="130" > "Comrade Xiaoping cannot all retire yet."</h1>
In December 1976, Deng Xiaoping was admitted to the 301 Hospital for prostatitis, and Nie Shuai heard about it and immediately drove to visit.
Before going, I also bought a large watermelon (watermelon diuresis).
After the two communicated, Deng Xiaoping expressed his desire to continue working, and after Nie Rongzhen returned, he said: "Comrade Xiaoping said that he hopes to resume work after being discharged from the hospital, and I would like to suggest to Jianying to support Comrade Xiaoping to resume work." ”
After Nie Rongzhen fed this matter back to Ye Jianying, Ye Jianying also agreed.
Picture | July 5, 1956, He Long, Nie Rongzhen, and Li Da listened to the battle training of the Air Defense Force
With the support of all parties, in July 1977, the Third Plenary Session of the Tenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to reinstate Deng Xiaoping from all his duties.
Also in July of that year, Deng Xiaoping moved into his new home in Miliangku Hutong, which was only one road away from all the lanes in Ji'an, where Nie Shuai lived, and the two families returned to the state they had been in in the 1950s when they lived next to each other.
The two families often came to visit the door, just as close as they were in those days.
Not only that, Nie Rongzhen always supported Deng Xiaoping's work, and Deng Xiaoping also attached importance to giving play to Nie Shuai's role.
In March 1978, the Central Committee decided to convene the National Science and Technology Conference, which had been suspended for many years, and Deng Xiaoping invited Nie Rongzhen to attend it.
"Science and technology are productive forces, and they are the primary productive forces."
Nie Rongzhen very much agreed with Deng Xiaoping's proposal, and he still remembered this sentence after returning home.
The two supported each other and together composed a good story of a new era.
At the same time as the country was building in an all-round way, Deng Xiaoping also paid attention to the problem of aging cadres.
On February 18, 1982, deng Xiaoping said in a meeting with Prince Norodom Sihanouk and his wife in Cambodia: "The problem of aging cadres has reached the point where it must be solved. ”
Deng Xiaoping paid attention to this problem, not just one day or two days, but after several years, in order to realize the construction of the four modernizations, it is necessary to train cadres from younger talents.
Nie Rongzhen expressed support for this and also mentioned his own views.
On July 4, 1982, Deng Xiaoping mentioned Nie Rongzhen's opinion at a forum of the Central Military Commission:
"The old one can't lose his hand, the old one must combine the middle and green." Cadres are younger, the steps can be faster, and if this problem is not solved, those of us who cannot pay the account will not be able to pay the bill. ”
In response to the call of the Party Central Committee, Nie Rongzhen expressed support.
Pictured| In the summer of 1981, Nie Rongzhen and Deng Xiaoping talked in Beidaihe
In August 1985, Nie Rongzhen wrote to Hu Yaobang:
"Support the major policy decision of the Central Committee on the rejuvenation of leading cadres, and request the withdrawal of the Central Committee so that younger comrades can enter the central leading organs."
At the Fourth Plenary Session of the Twelfth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, a decision was made on the withdrawal of Ye Jianying, Nie Rongzhen, and a number of other veteran comrades from the central leading posts.
In the summer of 1986, the Central Committee prepared to convene the 13th National Congress of the Party on personnel arrangements, and specially formed a five-member group.
In order to set an example, Deng Xiaoping also proposed to resign as chairman of the Central Military Commission at the 13th Party Congress.
Wang Zhen, one of the five-member group, hurried to discuss the matter with Nie Rongzhen, and Nie Rongzhen groaned for a long time and said to Wang Zhen:
"I believe that this is a transitional period, the situation is still unstable, Comrade Xiaoping cannot fully retire for the time being, and he can not participate in the Standing Committee. He has completely retired, he is not the chairman of the Central Military Commission, once something happens, how can he order the whole army? Only he could hold back. “
After Wang Zhen left, Nie Rongzhen thought about it again and again, thinking that he should still write a formal opinion, and after the secretary wrote it overnight, he handed it to Nie Rongzhen for review.
Nie Rongzhen asked the secretary to read it twice, and finally agreed:
"Hurry up and ask Wang Zhen to take him away."
In this memorandum, Nie Rongzhen said a lot of forward-looking suggestions, and emphasized at the end:
"Regarding the post of chairman of the Central Military Commission, it is better for Comrade Xiaoping to concurrently hold a period of time. At present, the great battle is difficult to fight for a while, but since the announcement of the reorganization of the army and the disarmament of millions, the thinking at the grass-roots level has been very unstable. At such a time, Comrade Xiaoping's withdrawal is indeed detrimental to stabilizing the morale of the army. ”
Between the lines, nie Rongzhen's high trust in Deng Xiaoping and consideration of the country are reflected everywhere.
<h1 class="pgc-h-center-line" data-track="131" > "Comrade Xiaoping is great"</h1>
After The two old comrades-in-arms, Deng Xiaoping and Nie Rongzhen, retired, still came and went from time to time, but the two talked more about the country.
In 1990, Deng Xiaoping also went to visit this old comrade-in-arms, when Nie Rongzhen was 91 years old, Deng Xiaoping also quipped:
"After 90 years old, it is victory."
Pictured| Nie Rongzhen met with Mieko in Beijing in May 1986
In 1991, nie rongzhen's 92nd birthday, Deng Xiaoping's wife Zhuo Lin went to visit nie rongzhen with her children and grandchildren, and Deng Rong also presented Nie Shuai with a bouquet of flowers, which also wrote on the streamer:
"I wish Comrade Rongzhen health and longevity!" Deng Xiaoping and Zhuo Lin led the whole family. ”
When parting, Nie Rongzhen repeatedly admonished:
"When you go back, you must say hello to Comrade Xiaoping on my behalf!"
On January 18, 1992, Deng Xiaoping made a southern tour of Wuchang, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shanghai and other places, and delivered a famous speech on the southern tour.
In this speech, Deng Xiaoping reviewed the experience of reform and opening up over the past decade or so, put forward new ideas on the basis of a series of practices, and played a key role in promoting China's economic construction and development.
Nie Rongzhen was recuperating at home due to serious illness, and when the staff released Deng Xiaoping's speech on the southern tour for him, Nie Rongzhen said with great emotion:
"Comrade Xiaoping is remarkable."
"This speech is of great and far-reaching significance to the cause of socialist construction in China..."
In April 1992, Nie Rongzhen, who was seriously ill, lay on his hospital bed and said to the staff next to him: "I am heart failure, and I know that I am afraid that it will be difficult for me to get through this." Now while I am still awake, I want to say a few words, as if they were my last words. ”
The staff took the tape recorder and prepared to record Nie Rongzhen's words, only to hear Nie Rongzhen say word by word:
"I'm 93 years old, and I'm living a long life... I firmly believe in the policy of reform and opening up and firmly believe that it is very correct to take the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics. I very much agree with Comrade Deng Xiaoping's important speech on inspecting the South..."
On May 14, 1992, Nie Rongzhen's heart stopped beating, and a founding father of the People's Republic of China left us forever.
For the death of this old comrade-in-arms, Deng Xiaoping also fell into deep sorrow...